Memories made at Smokies Park on opening day

Catching a foul ball adds to opening day

Tennessee Smokies players, from left, Jae-Hoon Ha, Tim Torres, Eliiott Soto, Anthony Giansanti, Jay Fernandez, Tony Zych, Brian Schlitter, and Zac Rosscup line up in anticipation for the start of the home opener against Chattanooga on Wednesday at Smokies Park. (Saul Young/News Sentinel)

2013 Knoxville News Sentinel

SEVIERVILLE — There won’t be much the Tennessee Smokies would want to remember from Wednesday night’s 6-2 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts in their 2013 home opener. But for 8-year-old Ellanora Petersen from Knoxville, it’s a game she’ll never forget.

Ellanora caught her first foul ball, completely by accident while walking on the concourse with her grandfather.

“Well, the baseball was coming down,” Ellanora said. “Me and my grandpa saw it and I was running for it. Grandpa caught it and gave it to me. I was very excited.”

Ellanora danced her way back to her seat and was a bundle of energy for the rest of the night.

Families from all over the region took in the home opener, filling Smokies Park with 4,159 fans. Joe Reagan of Rutledge and his two boys; Cooper, 9, and Mel, 8, were attending the game with their Little League baseball squad.

“They (Cooper and Mel) enjoy coming and watching these guys,” Reagan said. “For them, it’s just as good as going to a big league game. It’s good, quality time with your kids. It shows them that if you work hard, it’s possible that you could get here.”

Mel has never caught a foul ball of his own, but older brother Cooper nabbed one last year. It’s now in a place of honor in his bedroom.

For returning players like Trey McNutt, the home opener at Smokies Park is always an event. McNutt begins his third straight stint with the Class AA squad and will work primarily as a closer. The No. 13-ranked Chicago Cubs prospect according to Baseball America is on the team’s 40-man roster this season.

“We have good fans here,” McNutt said. “They’re here virtually every day of the week. Opening day is always special here and at Wrigley (Field). When you put the ‘C’ on or the ‘Smokies’ on. The fans are crazy about the Cubs.”

Tennessee picked up six hits against the Lookouts (2-4) Wednesday night, including a monster solo home run from first baseman Justin Bour. Rubi Silva went 2-for-4 with a double, but there wasn’t much excitement outside of that.

For Chicago transplants Kathy and Connie Malak, just watching and getting to know the new team was worth the short trip to the park from Bean Station. The mother and daughter took in their second straight Smokies opening day as part of a friend’s birthday celebration.

“We love the park and we can just drive 30 minutes and be here,” Kathy said. “We have to learn the players all over again. It’s a great time. You get to watch a ballgame with friends.”

The Smokies continue their five-game series against Chattanooga today at 11:30 a.m.